Chapter 19 | After the Test (1/2)

Stretching out my limbs, I walked around the island after finishing class. I didn't really have anything in mind, but I wanted to enjoy the warm weather before the weather became colder. Though… I don't know what winter is like here, exactly.

'It's quite cold, but snow isn't as common. I had heard some of the rivers and lakes had even frozen over, once.' Sheou answered appearing out of nowhere, but I was more interested in where she even learned that.

'Where'd you hear that? Is it some inherent Duel Spirit ability or something?' I theorized.

'Not at all, it is a maid's duty to be bought educated and up-to-date.' Sheou adjusted her glasses as she answered with pride.

'Then did you read up on it? I thought you weren't strong enough to interact with the world… physically at least.'

Thinking back, Sheou had said that her abilities would increase as our 'bond' did, but that bond wasn't even strong enough to let her manifest continuously…

'I apologize, but I must correct you master. Normally, I am quite a powerful duel spirit and albite slightly difficult, I could easily interact with the physical world.' Sheou said rather smugly.

Sheou's a powerful duel spirit… makes sense in hindsight.

'Then where'd you hear the weather thing from?' I asked again.

'I asked some of the other duel spirits.' She answered, but I nearly tripped over myself.

'Other Duel spirits!?'

I was genuinely surprised that there were other duel spirits, from what I remembered the only other major duel spirits on the island were Winged Kuriboh and Dark Magician Girl

'Yes, although they don't wander much from their cards, there are plenty of duel spirits around this island.' Sheou nodded.

'How come I've never seen them?' I asked her.

'Well that could be because of two reasons; one, other duel spirits don't really interact with humans and only really come out at night, when it's not as noisy and two, your 'bond' with me isn't strong enough.' Sheou explained.

'You mentioned that bond a lot, how exactly does it work?' I asked another question, realizing I had never really talked about this abstract bond.

'A 'bond' is a connection between a duel spirit and a duelist, it benefits both parties. The spirit gains a medium to interact with the human world better as well as gain power and become stronger from the duelist duelling. While the duelist gains some of the abilities and characteristics of the duel spirit.' Sheou answered, reaching her hands out and changing it to a more 'solid' looking form. Displaying her growing ability to interact with the physical world.

'But how does result in creating copies of cards?' I asked finding a big gap between such a spiritual concept and the physical card in my deck.

'Scientifically speaking, a bond is more of a spiritual connection between souls, one of the things that a duel spirit and duelist can do with this connection is to manifest the bond in the form of cards. Which is the reason you gained another copy of me after our bond deepens.' Sheou demonstrated manifesting a semi-translucent silhouette of a House Dragonmaid card.

Taking out my House Dragonmaid card, I silently stared at it.

'So this is my 'bond'... connection with Sheou?' I wondered.

'Master.' Sheou called out to me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

''Yeah, what?'' I asked aloud.

'It seems a maiden is in peril up ahead.' She pointed towards a figure sitting on the beach gazing absentmindedly into the distance.

''Alexis…?'' I mumbled recognizing the peculiar dark blond hair and blue obelisk uniform.

Turning back to Sheou I saw her smiling teasingly with a knowing gaze, ''I'll take my leave then,'' She bowed before disappearing.

Shaking my head with a strained smile, I decided to ignore Sheou's antics and go check on Alexis who currently looked like a kicked puppy.

Walking closer I found Alexis sitting near the shore with her head on her knees.

''Alexis…'' I called out a little uneasy at her uncharacteristic state.

''Uh?'' She whipped her head in my direction with a surprised expression, but before I could continue, my throat suddenly became dry seeing her tear-stained face.

''Illumi?'' She exclaimed in surprise prompting me to recompose myself and reply with a smile.

''...''

''Hey, Lexi~ What are you doing out here?'' I asked purposely avoiding the topic of why she was crying.

Although I wasn't the best when it came to reading people, I at least knew what 'someone who didn't want to talk about it' looked like.

Perhaps noticing what I had done, Alexis cracked a small smile and wiped away the tears, ''Sorry, looks like you caught me in an embarrassing state…'' She tried laughing it off.

Gritting my teeth, I debated whether to ask her about it or not and finally gave up with a sigh.

''Do you… wanna talk about it?'' I asked.

Alexis visibly stiffened up and lowered her head with a shake.

'Stupid…' Inwardly cursing at myself, I took a seat beside her and enjoyed the silent breeze.

''I… heard you smoked your opponent during the test, right?'' I asked coming up with a random topic.

''... yeah.'' Alexis replied.

''You duelled one of Chazz's cheerleaders, right?'' I joked causing Alexis to suppress a smile.

''Pff… Yeah, it wasn't a very good duel since he seemed a little… distracted.'' Alexis agreed referring back to Chazz and Jaden's duel.

''Well, it's understandable. He just saw his boyfriend lose even after stacking his deck.'' I snickered.

''...you didn't do too bad either… I heard'' Alexis said back, but I acted hurt, covering my chest with a mock-pained expression.

''What!? You didn't watch my match? Oh~ my fragile heart!'' I exclaimed with a bit of drama sprinkled in my words. I even fell backwards onto the sandy beach with the back of my hand to my forehead pretending to faint.

Oddly enough, Alexis didn't immediately reply, prompting me to crack open an eyelid, only to meet Alexis's complicated gaze.

Taking a deep breath, Alexis recomposed herself and put on a mock-annoyed expression.

''Tch, stop overreacting! You didn't watch mine either!'' She shot back with a head turn.

''Ah!?... touche…'' I admitted deciding to concede this round…

…Sike!

''I bet you watched Jaden's round~'' I whistled, causing Alexis to turn back to me with an arched brow.

''What are you implying?'' She asked me with a deadpanned face.

''Well nothing~ Just… Jaden and Alexis sitting in a tree~ K.I.S.S.I.N-'' I hummed, but was cut off by a fist to the gut.

''Ugh…'' I groaned in pain as I looked blankly at Alexis who was staring back at me with a 

''So childish…'' She huffed and turned back to the setting sun while I was still writhing in pain.

'Ugh… I was not expecting that sucker punch…' Even more so I wondered why it hurt so much even though I was basically 'enhanced' due to my bond with Sheou.

However, the answer to my query came in the form of a ghastly whisper in my ear.

'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…' I felt a chill crawl down my back hearing the creepy and ominous line.

'Stop that Sheou!' I rebuttled at Sheou who was pulling a prank.

'...apologizes master.' Sheou quieted down.

''Ch-cheap shot…'' I gritted desperately trying to cling to my damaged pride.

''Tch, don't be a wuss.'' Alexis snapped back with an aggressive tone.

I momentarily blanked, not expecting Alexis's reply, but I just as quickly smiled seeing her return to normal.

I wasn't exactly sure what was weighing on her, but I was glad she was back to her normal…ish self.

''Your luck you're a girl…'' I scuffed taunting her.

''You little-!'' And it seemed to work almost too effectively as Alexis got up and started chasing me down.

''Shi- Stop you, mad woman! Help someone I'm being attack-''

'...I'm proud of you, master.' Sheou said to me with and gentle and approving tone.